STRATEGY STUDIO / PUBLIC DATA EXPLORER

STAIRSTEP FOUNDATION

Cite this

Plain text STAIRSTEP FOUNDATION. Strategy Studio, nonprofit organization profile, tax years 2020–2024. https://strategystudio.org/org/411709346. Retrieved 2026-10-19.

APA Strategy Studio. (n.d.). STAIRSTEP FOUNDATION [Nonprofit organization profile; tax years 2020–2024]. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://strategystudio.org/org/411709346

MLA “STAIRSTEP FOUNDATION.” Strategy Studio, tax years 2020–2024, https://strategystudio.org/org/411709346. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

Retrieved 2026-10-19; covers tax years 2020–2024. Data: Strategy Studio, CC BY 4.0.

2024 · Form 990 · revenue $2.8M · expenses $2.0M · assets $1.1M

EIN
41-1709346
Address
2115 PLYMOUTH AVE N, MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55411-3750
Website
www.stairstep.org
NTEE code
P99Z
Subsection
501(c)(3)
Ruling year
1992
Cross-check
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer

Mission

The Organization's purpose is to reinforce community values, create community building models and to facilitate community building activities by and with others.

Each tax year counts once: when a return was amended, only the latest return for that period is used below (superseded returns stay listed, greyed, under Finances).

People paid by the organization

1 person paid across every filing: current people first, then by total pay from this organization. Organizations counts every nonprofit each person appears on.

NameLatest titleYearsLatest year payTotal pay from hereOrganizations
Alfred Babinton-Johnson President and CEO2020-2024 $115,600$555,199 1

Officers and directors, no compensation reported

6 people listed on the returns with $0 (or no amount) in every compensation column: current people first. Hours are as filed on the latest return each person appears on.

NameLatest titleYearsHrs/wk (latest)CompensationOrganizations
Wilhemenia Buckner Board Member2020-2024 2 $0 reported 1
James Thomas Board Member2020-2024 2 $0 reported 1
Mahmoud El-Kati Board Member2020-2024 2 $0 reported 1
Keith Elzia Board Chair2020-2024 2 $0 reported 1
David Johnson Treasurer2020-2024 2 $0 reported 1
Linda Sloan Secretary2020-2024 2 $0 reported 1

People by year

2024 · 7 people listed · 1 paid, $116K · 2 employees · 100 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Alfred Babinton-Johnson President and CEO40 $91,875$0$23,725 $115,6001
Wilhemenia Buckner Board Member2 $0$0$0 $01
James Thomas Board Member2 $0$0$0 $01
Mahmoud El-Kati Board Member2 $0$0$0 $01
Keith Elzia Board Chair2 $0$0$0 $01
David Johnson Treasurer2 $0$0$0 $01
Linda Sloan Secretary2 $0$0$0 $01
2023 · 7 people listed · 1 paid, $114K · 2 employees · 100 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Alfred Babinton-Johnson President and CEO40 $102,176$0$11,419 $113,5951
Wilhemenia Buckner Board Member2 $0$0$0 $01
James Thomas Board Member2 $0$0$0 $01
Mahmoud El-Kati Board Member2 $0$0$0 $01
Keith Elzia Board Chair2 $0$0$0 $01
David Johnson Treasurer2 $0$0$0 $01
Linda Sloan Secretary2 $0$0$0 $01
2022 · 7 people listed · 1 paid, $112K · 2 employees · 100 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Alfred Babinton-Johnson President and CEO40 $100,681$0$10,867 $111,5481
Wilhemenia Buckner Board Member2 $0$0$0 $01
James Thomas Board Member2 $0$0$0 $01
Mahmoud El-Kati Board Member2 $0$0$0 $01
Keith Elzia Board Chair2 $0$0$0 $01
David Johnson Treasurer2 $0$0$0 $01
Linda Sloan Secretary2 $0$0$0 $01
2021 · 7 people listed · 1 paid, $108K · 2 employees · 100 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Alfred Babinton-Johnson President and CEO40 $97,850$0$9,727 $107,5771
Wilhemenia Buckner Board Member2 $0$0$0 $01
James Thomas Board Member2 $0$0$0 $01
Mahmoud El-Kati Board Member2 $0$0$0 $01
Keith Elzia Board Chair2 $0$0$0 $01
David Johnson Treasurer2 $0$0$0 $01
Linda Sloan Secretary2 $0$0$0 $01
2020 · 7 people listed · 1 paid, $107K · 2 employees · 100 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Alfred Babinton-Johnson President and CEO40 $97,850$0$9,029 $106,8791
Wilhemenia Buckner Board Member2 $0$0$0 $01
James Thomas Board Member2 $0$0$0 $01
Mahmoud El-Kati Board Member2 $0$0$0 $01
Keith Elzia Board Chair2 $0$0$0 $01
David Johnson Treasurer2 $0$0$0 $01
Linda Sloan Secretary2 $0$0$0 $01

Highest-paid independent contractors

No independent contractors reported.

Who the money went to

Grants this organization reported paying: Schedule I Part II of the Form 990, or the grants-paid list on the 990-PF. Open a year for every recipient. Recipients link to their own page when the grant names an EIN we have (990-PF grants list no EIN, so those link only on an exact, unique name and state). Grants to individuals are counted; their names are not shown.

2021 · 19 grants to organizations · $262K

Listed grants add up to $262,065; the return's “grants paid” expense line says $304,904. Returns can differ here (grants paid vs. accrued, items listed elsewhere); check the filing.

Negative amounts are returned or refunded grants; they are listed last and left out of the totals of grants paid.

Who gave

Contributor names are not public for this form type.

Public charities filing Form 990 or 990-EZ report large donors on Schedule B, but the IRS withholds their names and addresses from public copies. Private foundations (990-PF) are different: their contributors are public.

Finances

Newest first. Each filing: its name on one row, its figures on the row beneath. Greyed filings are superseded by a later return for the same period and are left out everywhere else on this page.

RevenueExpensesAssetsNet assetsContributionsProgram revenueOfficer payEmployeesVolunteers
2024 · Form 990 period ending 2024-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$2,759,475$2,000,200 $1,094,053$961,485 $2,750,634$0 $111,8502100
2023 · Form 990 period ending 2023-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$911,334$878,896 $729,196$571,609 $911,334$0 $113,5952100
2022 · Form 990 period ending 2022-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$1,527,721$1,488,541 $653,209$517,757 $1,527,721$0 $111,5482100
2021 · Form 990 period ending 2021-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$2,069,991$1,862,845 $447,520$408,609 $2,069,830$0 $107,5772100
2020 · Form 990 period ending 2020-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$895,059$836,381 $267,002$201,462 $322,040$404,443 $106,8792100

Funders of this organization

16 grantors reported grants to this organization, $1,544,539 in all, tax years 2011 to 2024. Exact: the grantor wrote this organization's EIN. Fuzzy: the grantor wrote only a name (foundations' 990-PF has no EIN field), matched to the same or a near-identical name in the same state; the name as filed is shown. From the latest return for each grantor and year, so amended returns aren't counted twice. CSV

GrantorTypeMatchYears givenGrantsTotalLatest yearLatest year's amountGrants
MINNESOTA COUNCIL ON FOUNDATIONS Public charity Exact 2021 1$409,000 2021$409,000
show
THRIVENT FINANCIAL FOR LUTHERANS Public charity Exact 2022-2023 3$240,307 2023$225,000
show
WALLESTAD FOUNDATION Private foundation Fuzzy filed as “STAIRSTEP FOUNDATION” 2016-2021, 2023 7$199,500 2023$25,000
show
NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TR DAF sponsor Exact 2022-2024 3$145,000 2024$50,000
show
MINNEAPOLIS FOUNDATION DAF sponsor Exact 2014, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2024 5$125,000 2024$15,000
show
MCKNIGHT FOUNDATION Private foundation Fuzzy filed as “Stairstep Foundation” 2022, 2024 2$103,500 2024$3,500
show
HENNEPIN HEALTHCARE SYSTEM INC Public charity Exact 2018 1$75,000 2018$75,000
show
SAINT PAUL & MINNESOTA FOUNDATION DAF sponsor Exact 2012 1$59,482 2012$59,482
show
PARK FOUNDATION INC Private foundation Fuzzy filed as “STAIRSTEP FOUNDATION” 2020 1$50,000 2020$50,000
show
TAKEACTION MINNESOTA EDUCATION FUND Public charity Fuzzy filed as “Stairstep Foundation” 2013-2014 2$35,000 2014$20,000
show
NATIONAL CHRISTIAN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION DAF sponsor Exact 2021 1$32,000 2021$32,000
show
UCARE MINNESOTA Public charity Exact 2021 1$30,000 2021$30,000
show
CHARITIES AID FOUNDATION AMERICA DAF sponsor Exact 2017 1$20,000 2017$20,000
show
AMERICAN ENDOWMENT FOUNDATION DAF sponsor Exact 2018-2019 2$10,500 2019$5,000
show
GROTTO FOUNDATION INC Private foundation Fuzzy filed as “STAIRSTEP FOUNDATION” 2011 1$10,000 2011$10,000
show
YOUTHPRISE Public charity Exact 2011 1$250 2011$250
show

Similar organizations

Ranked without any AI: same NTEE code first, then the same NTEE group; then revenue within 2x, 5x or 10x; then the same state; then similar name and mission text. Same state only · More (100)

OrganizationStateNTEELatest revenueLatest expensesTop-paid titleTop payWhy similar
REBOUND INCMNP99 $1,874,600$2,152,231 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & MEMBER$175,655 Same NTEE code P99, revenue within 2x, same state
BUFFALO FOOD SHELFMNP99 $1,381,802$1,291,371 EXECUTIVE DI$0 Same NTEE code P99, revenue within 2x, same state
AFGHAN CULTURAL SOCIETYMNP99 $1,577,622$1,457,579 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$82,550 Same NTEE code P99, revenue within 2x, same state
BEYOND BRINKMNP99 $2,479,491$2,643,635 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$159,078 Same NTEE code P99, revenue within 2x, same state
USTA NORTHERNMNP99 $2,501,798$2,488,816 Executive Director$157,570 Same NTEE code P99, revenue within 2x, same state
NEW PATHWAYS INCMNP99 $2,568,590$776,558 Executive Director$80,438 Same NTEE code P99, revenue within 2x, same state
KELLIN FOUNDATIONNCP99 $2,466,764$1,700,740 PRESIDENT AND CEO$146,256 Same NTEE code P99, revenue within 2x
GROWLEADER FOUNDATIONALP99 $2,413,827$1,603,119 CHAIRMAN$0 Same NTEE code P99, revenue within 2x
BOTH HANDS FOUNDATIONTNP99 $4,798,965$4,468,021 President$140,536 Same NTEE code P99, revenue within 2x
LANCASTER COUNTY FOUNDATIONPAP99 $2,315,893$2,315,893 PRESIDENT & CEO$277,368 Same NTEE code P99, revenue within 2x
ATHLETIC ANGELS FOUNDATIONFLP99 $2,309,005$2,968,005 BOARD MEMBER$77,500 Same NTEE code P99, revenue within 2x
INDO-US FOUNDATIONILP99 $5,332,128$4,441,922 VICE-PRESIDE$0 Same NTEE code P99, revenue within 2x
MEANING FOUNDATIONUTP99 $1,601,655$1,489,121 Chief Executive Officer$0 Same NTEE code P99, revenue within 2x
JACOBIN FOUNDATION LTDNYP99 $4,135,382$4,205,647 VICE PRESIDENT$105,034 Same NTEE code P99, revenue within 2x
SHIELD FOUNDATION INCINP99 $1,508,000$879,885 CEO/TREASURER$344,502 Same NTEE code P99, revenue within 2x
EB CHARITABLE FOUNDATION INCNYP99 $4,577,342$24,015 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code P99, revenue within 2x
BLACKMEN UNITED FOUNDATIONILP99 $4,619,612$4,893,242 PRESIDENT AND CEO$0 Same NTEE code P99, revenue within 2x
ABILITY FOUNDATIONUTP99 $3,453,636$3,483,558 PRESIDENT$88,740 Same NTEE code P99, revenue within 2x
THE KINDERSMILE FOUNDATIONNJP99 $3,878,286$3,417,363 CEO/DENTIST$285,342 Same NTEE code P99, revenue within 2x
DREW LEWIS FOUNDATION INCMOP99 $2,260,774$1,772,987 CHAIR$95,000 Same NTEE code P99, revenue within 2x
JIMMY RANE FOUNDATIONALP99 $2,847,729$1,981,719 PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR$0 Same NTEE code P99, revenue within 2x
SHIRIN EBADI FOUNDATIONMIP99 $2,468,173$2,052,267 DIRECTOR$0 Same NTEE code P99, revenue within 2x
GATEWAY WELLNESS FOUNDATIONNCP99 $3,359,968$2,263,630 FORMER PRESIDENT$124,019 Same NTEE code P99, revenue within 2x
WOODLANDS FOUNDATION INCPAP99 $2,724,244$3,072,187 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (THR. 11/22/24)$159,335 Same NTEE code P99, revenue within 2x
INSIDE-OUTSIDE CIRCLE FOUNDATIONCAP99 $1,579,136$1,094,138 DIRECTOR$126,738 Same NTEE code P99, revenue within 2x

Who funds organizations like this

Grantors that funded the 100 most similar organizations. Ranked by total given to them. Foundations (990-PF) and donor-advised fund sponsors only. Same matching as Funders above (by EIN, or by name for foundations).

GrantorTypeTotal givenGrantsOrganizations fundedYearsWhich ones
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS CHARITABLE GIFT FUND DAF sponsor$13,810,110145 362016–2024 INDO-US FOUNDATION; KC HEALTHY KIDS; COMPASSION IN WORLD FARMING; BOTH HANDS FOUNDATION and 32 more
PAYPAL CHARITABLE GIVING FUND DAF sponsor$12,451,96926 142017–2024 FRIENDS OF FONDACIONI FIRDEUS INC; ABILITY FOUNDATION; BUFFALO FOOD SHELF; COMPASSION IN WORLD FARMING and 10 more
SILICON VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$9,080,57126 92010–2024 COMPASSION IN WORLD FARMING; NATIONAL PARENTS UNION INC; BLACK ORGANIZING PROJECT INC; VIETNAM HEALTH EDUCATION & LITERATURE PROJECTS and 5 more
AMERICAN ONLINE GIVING FOUNDATION INC DAF sponsor$6,522,48987 262019–2024 AMERICAN TELUGU ASSOCIATION; VIETNAM HEALTH EDUCATION & LITERATURE PROJECTS; SHIRIN EBADI FOUNDATION; BLACK ORGANIZING PROJECT INC and 22 more
MORGAN STANLEY GLOBAL IMPACT FUNDING TRUST INC DAF sponsor$6,286,00023 92016–2024 AUTISM PARTNERSHIP FOUNDATION; CANCER PATHWAYS; MEANING FOUNDATION; CLEAR PATH FOR VETERANS INC and 5 more
MERLE SELFON MEMORIAL FUND CHARITABLE TR Private foundation$5,100,73412 12014–2025 LANCASTER COUNTY FOUNDATION
DOGWOOD HEALTH TRUST Private foundation$4,552,77519 12020–2024 GATEWAY WELLNESS FOUNDATION
DONOR ADVISED CHARITABLE GIVING DAF sponsor$4,203,910117 322014–2024 JUBILEE PARK & COMMUNITY CENTER CORPORATION; COMMUNITY READY CORPS INC; BOTH HANDS FOUNDATION; AUTISM PARTNERSHIP FOUNDATION and 28 more
WALTON FAMILY FOUNDATION INC Private foundation$3,650,0005 12021–2024 NATIONAL PARENTS UNION INC
THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY TRUST DAF sponsor$2,720,0005 52019–2023 TARRANT COUNTY HOMELESS COALITION; COMPASSION IN WORLD FARMING; HOPE FOR JUSTICE INC; VAIL VETERANS FOUNDATION INC and 1 more
THE CALIFORNIA ENDOWMENT Private foundation$2,624,80027 22014–2024 BLACK ORGANIZING PROJECT INC; OPERATION NEW HOPE
LILLY ENDOWMENT INC Private foundation$2,454,66613 22023–2025 MARION COUNTY COMMISSION ON YOUTH INC; ART WITH A HEART INC
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTH TEXAS DAF sponsor$2,332,92649 32010–2024 JUBILEE PARK & COMMUNITY CENTER CORPORATION; TARRANT COUNTY HOMELESS COALITION; AMERICAS MIGHTY WARRIORS
NATIONAL CHRISTIAN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION funds this one DAF sponsor$2,226,61663 162012–2024 BEARINGS BIKE SHOP INC; HOPE FOR JUSTICE INC; BOTH HANDS FOUNDATION; METROPOLITAN FOUNDATION and 12 more
MICHAEL & SUSAN DELL FOUNDATION Private foundation$2,213,9215 22021–2024 NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDERS ASSOCIATION; AMERICAS MIGHTY WARRIORS

The full list · all similar organizations

Where the money went

Every expense line on each return, biggest first: Form 990 Part IX (with its program, management and fundraising columns), 990-EZ Part I, or 990-PF Part I. Event marks lines the organization itself describes as events. “Events” in each summary adds those lines, conferences and meetings, and the direct costs of fundraising events. Unusual is not the same as improper. Many of these patterns have ordinary explanations. Check the filing.

2024 · Form 990 · $2,000,200 spent · pay $213,745 · grants $0 · events $267,084
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Fees: other services $1,282,231$1,282,231-- 64.1%
Other (as described) EventSpecial Event $203,182$203,182$0$0 10.2%
Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees $111,850$95,073$11,185$5,592 5.6%
Other salaries and wages $88,125$79,312$8,813- 4.4%
Conferences, conventions and meetings $63,902$63,902-- 3.2%
Office expenses $49,613$44,651$4,962- 2.5%
Depreciation and depletion $44,578$40,120$4,458- 2.2%
Occupancy $41,717$37,545$4,172- 2.1%
Other (as described)Community Support $37,115$37,115$0$0 1.9%
Insurance $20,415$18,373$2,042- 1.0%
Fees: accounting $17,937-$17,937- 0.9%
Advertising and promotion $17,228$17,228-- 0.9%
Payroll taxes $13,770$11,757$1,377$636 0.7%
Other (as described)Dues and Subscriptions $3,165$3,165$0$0 0.2%
Information technology $1,941$1,747$194- 0.1%
All other expenses $1,843$1,843-- 0.1%
Interest $1,588-$1,588- 0.1%
Total$2,000,200100%

View the filing

2023 · Form 990 · $878,896 spent · pay $200,288 · grants $0 · events $8,555
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Fees: other services $436,274$417,111$19,163- 49.6%
Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees $113,595$96,575$11,360$5,660 12.9%
Other salaries and wages $73,296$65,966$7,330- 8.3%
Depreciation and depletion $57,436$42,503$14,933- 6.5%
Occupancy $53,672$38,525$15,147- 6.1%
Office expenses $47,494$42,745$4,749- 5.4%
Fees: accounting $23,753-$23,753- 2.7%
Insurance $20,047$18,042$2,005- 2.3%
Other (as described)License and Permits $14,075$14,075$0$0 1.6%
Payroll taxes $13,397$11,777$1,340$280 1.5%
Travel $8,755$8,755-- 1.0%
Conferences, conventions and meetings $8,555$8,555-- 1.0%
All other expenses $5,293-$5,293- 0.6%
Other (as described)Dues and Subscriptions $2,025$2,025$0$0 0.2%
Advertising and promotion $1,229$1,229-- 0.1%
Total$878,896100%

View the filing

2022 · Form 990 · $1,488,541 spent · pay $188,331 · grants $29,067 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Fees: other services $964,232$964,232-- 64.8%
Office expenses $153,308$110,285$43,023- 10.3%
Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees $111,548$53,543$58,005- 7.5%
Other salaries and wages $64,016$30,728$33,288- 4.3%
Depreciation and depletion $57,436$42,503$14,933- 3.9%
Occupancy $28,707$21,243$7,464- 1.9%
Grants to US individuals $24,067$24,067-- 1.6%
Travel $23,394$22,991$403- 1.6%
Fees: accounting $16,882-$16,882- 1.1%
Insurance $16,156$10,316$5,840- 1.1%
Payroll taxes $12,767$6,128$6,639- 0.9%
Advertising and promotion $5,569$2,229$3,340- 0.4%
Grants to US organizations and governments $5,000$5,000-- 0.3%
All other expenses $4,080$3,019$1,061- 0.3%
Other (as described)Dues and Subscriptions $1,379$1,020$359$0 0.1%
Total$1,488,541100%

View the filing

2021 · Form 990 · $1,862,845 spent · pay $184,755 · grants $304,904 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Fees: other services $954,900$954,900-- 51.3%
Grants to US organizations and governments $274,565$274,565-- 14.7%
Office expenses $254,332$188,164$66,168- 13.7%
Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees $107,577$62,775$44,802- 5.8%
Other salaries and wages $64,740$64,740-- 3.5%
Depreciation and depletion $38,904$28,789$10,115- 2.1%
Grants to US individuals $30,339$30,339-- 1.6%
Advertising and promotion $29,248$29,248-- 1.6%
Occupancy $25,489$18,862$6,627- 1.4%
Other (as described)Health Initiative $25,200$25,200$0$0 1.4%
Fees: accounting $16,882-$16,882- 0.9%
Insurance $14,684$9,376$5,308- 0.8%
Payroll taxes $12,438$9,204$3,234- 0.7%
Travel $12,111$12,111-- 0.7%
Other (as described)Dues and Subscription $1,328$983$345$0 0.1%
All other expenses $108$0$108- 0.0%
Total$1,862,845100%

View the filing

2020 · Form 990 · $836,381 spent · pay $184,058 · grants $16,717 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Fees: other services $427,916$427,916-- 51.2%
Office expenses $130,934$96,535$34,399- 15.7%
Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees $106,879$62,259$44,620- 12.8%
Other salaries and wages $64,740$64,740-- 7.7%
Occupancy $19,326$14,301$5,025- 2.3%
Depreciation and depletion $13,560$10,034$3,526- 1.6%
Payroll taxes $12,439$9,205$3,234- 1.5%
Other (as described)Health Initiative $11,250$11,250$0$0 1.3%
Fees: accounting $11,218-$11,218- 1.3%
Travel $9,995$9,740$255- 1.2%
Grants to US individuals $9,569$9,569-- 1.1%
Insurance $9,374$5,985$3,389- 1.1%
Grants to US organizations and governments $7,148$7,148-- 0.9%
Other (as described)Dues & Subscriptions $1,263$935$328$0 0.2%
All other expenses $770$570$200- 0.1%
Total$836,381100%

View the filing